Direct sampling of sediment and organisms
Sediment grabs collect physical samples of the seafloor, providing actual material that can be analyzed for sediment composition, grain size, organic content, and benthic fauna present within the sediment.
Sediment Grab Sampling
INSPIRE has a long history of executing surveys that require the assessment of benthic community analysis (BCA) and sediment quality sampling (sediment chemistry), from our Integrated Sediment Management team in support of suitability and feasibility studies for dredged material monitoring and contaminated sediment assessment.
INSPIRE scientists are well-versed and experienced in sediment grab collections. Sediment grab collections for BCA and sediment chemistry executed by INSPIRE follow ATSM standards.
Sediment grab surveys are often employed in subtidal benthic surveys (in “soft-bottom”) for benthic community analysis of infauna, sediment chemistry, and tissue analysis. Taxonomic analysis of sediment grab samples provides information on the benthic community composition and infaunal abundances, and can be used to make loose inferences to relate presence and counts of taxa to biological activity and ecological value or function. Sediment chemistry provides an understanding of potential toxicants in the sediment that could result in environmental harm, and tissue analysis helps determine if bio-uptake of any toxicants is occurring in the environment.
Notable Features
Sediment Grab Sampling
Taxonomic identification
Many benthic organisms live within the sediment (infauna). Grabs are particularly effective in collecting these species, which can allow for species identification and the generation of benthic community analysis data.
Many benthic organisms live within the sediment (infauna). Grabs are particularly effective in collecting these species, which can allow for species identification and the generation of benthic community analysis data.
Chemical and Physical Analysis
Sediment grabs enable the collection of samples for detailed chemical analysis (e.g., nutrient levels, contaminants, or heavy metals) and physical properties (e.g., porosity, moisture content), helping to assess environmental conditions.
Sediment grabs enable the collection of samples for detailed chemical analysis (e.g., nutrient levels, contaminants, or heavy metals) and physical properties (e.g., porosity, moisture content), helping to assess environmental conditions.
Replicable Sampling
Grabs can be used consistently across multiple stations, allowing for standardized and replicable data collection over time or across different regions.
Grabs can be used consistently across multiple stations, allowing for standardized and replicable data collection over time or across different regions.
Suitable for Varied Sediment Types
Sediment grabs can be used in a range of sediment types, from soft mud to sand, and sometimes in more consolidated substrates, making them versatile for different benthic environments.
Sediment grabs can be used in a range of sediment types, from soft mud to sand, and sometimes in more consolidated substrates, making them versatile for different benthic environments.
Simple and Efficient
Grab samplers are relatively simple and cost-effective tools. They are easy to deploy, making them a practical choice for routine monitoring or rapid assessments.
Grab samplers are relatively simple and cost-effective tools. They are easy to deploy, making them a practical choice for routine monitoring or rapid assessments.
Other Services
Sediment Profile Imaging/Plan View (SPI/PV) Surveys
Towed Video Surveys
ROVs, High Resolution Video & 3D Photogrammetry
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Surveys
Forward Scouting
Trawl Surveys
Trap and Fish Pot Surveys
Baited Remote Under Water Video (BRUV) and Plan View (PV) Surveys
Environmental DNA (eDNA) Studies
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